The recent decision to allow three attempts at JEE Advanced over three consecutive years is expected to significantly impact the IIT admissions. While many students and educators welcome the flexibility, its effects on droppers, cut-off scores, and the broader ecosystem of engineering entrance exams are sparking discussions. According to an IIT Madras student, the provision for three attempts brings nuanced implications, especially for students from rural backgrounds with limited exposure to competitive exams. "As a student from a rural area, I only found out about the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) in Class 12, and it felt like I was already too late. I did not have the same exposure or resources as students from bigger cities. An extra attempt in JEE would have meant the world to me, giving me the chance to prepare and show my true potential without the overwhelming pressure. Balancing board exams and JEE preparation is hard enough, and this policy helps students like me who simply need more time to catch up to the level others start with," he shared while informing that he didn't get the branch of his choice. The intent behind the new policy is clear — it allows students more flexibility, especially to balance the demands of board exams alongside JEE Advanced preparation, he added. Stiff competition ahead The new policy, however, also has potential downsides, an NIT professor said. Extending the number of attempts may lead some students to prolong their IIT journey, spending additional formative years focused solely on JEE Advanced, the professor said adding that this could change competition dynamics as first-time candidates may now face up to two years’ worth of droppers who are probably better prepared. "Even students who choose to take a drop year could feel heightened competition from peers with an extra year’s experience, which may intensify the IIT race," the professor added. "It’s reassuring to know that if things don’t work out this year, I will still have another shot" As per Sumit Yadav, a student from IIT Bombay, authorities also might need to change the exam pattern or adjust the difficulty level of exam paper to accommodate a large amount of JEE aspirants with different levels of preparation. The possibility of a third attempt might allow some students to reassess their plans, though it may also increase the pressure to strive even harder among droppers. “With three attempts now, I feel less rushed to clear JEE Advanced on the first try,” shares a second-time JEE aspirant. “It’s reassuring to know that if things don’t work out this year, I will still have another shot. But it also means I need to stay motivated longer.” Sandeep Mehta, an IIT Delhi alumnus and co-founder of Vidyamandir Classes, noted that while limiting the attempts to three avoids excessive dependency on retakes, more than three attempts could burden both students and institutions. "It may affect the quality and efficiency of the examination," he added, drawing a contrast to NEET UG, where multiple attempts can lead to prolonged cycles of preparation. Potential impact on cut-offs and coaching dynamics The increase in attempts could also influence cut-off trends. Sunitha Nambiar, CEO of Manav Rachna International Schools, suggests that multiple attempts may raise cut-offs as students gain experience and familiarity with the exam format over time. "This could lead to a higher overall performance standard," she notes, potentially benefiting students with access to extended coaching resources, who can refine their preparation incrementally over multiple attempts. Another student from a second-generation IIT said that the added attempt may also drive demand for coaching and support resources, especially for droppers looking to stay competitive. This trend could, however, widen the opportunity gap between students with financial access to intensive coaching programmes and those without. Students from rural or under-resourced backgrounds may face disadvantages due to limited access to specialised coaching or the financial means to sustain it." Will increased attempts reduce or increase stress For students viewing IIT as the ultimate goal, the policy’s extended opportunity is a double-edged sword. Although the change may relieve some immediate pressure to succeed, it may also extend the high-stakes nature of JEE preparation. If students prepare for up to three cycles, stress and anxiety could mount, especially for those who face hurdles along the way and yet remain determined to succeed. Overall, the increased attempts reflect a step toward inclusivity, offering students a fair chance to prove themselves. However, the benefits of this change will depend on how well support structures — such as coaching, financial aid, and exam resources — adapt to meet the demand. If these resources expand in tandem, the policy could make IIT admissions more accessible. However, as Mohan Raghavan, associate professor at the department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad puts it, topping entrance exams requires the mindset of an Olympic athlete. But success in university education or at an IIT needs an explorer's mindset. "Many of the students who clear these competitive exams go through their entire graduation without an idea why they struggle or feel lost," he added saying that some revel in this new setting and do well. Most find a way to stay afloat, sail through, clutching at dreams of “getting placed” and ending this academic drudgery. Moreover, it is also not clear that students who have already exhausted their two attempts in 2024 can appear for the third attempt in 2025 or not.
